Albania

Bujar Nishani was elected President of Albania on June 11 after winning 73 out of 76 votes cast in a secret ballot of the 140-seat parliament. Nishani was nominated by the government whilst the main opposition, the Socialist Party, did not participate in the vote. Although the position of president is largely ceremonial and non-partisan, Nishani will nevertheless have the power to delay legislation and be responsible for appointing the head of Albania's secret police and the prosecutor general. The somewhat contentious nature of the appointment, with the opposition abstaining, could undermine progress towards EU accession.

To read the full article, please choose one of the following options: